The Toro Company

Greg L Lawrence

John P Azure

David A Murray

Jeremy A Fohrenkamm

Tanner L Erickson

Barry L Hentges

Nathan Wiater

Ryan Foss

A system and method are described to help ensure that gears contained within the transmission system are shifted to the correct position before the user can apply the throttle. An electronic control unit (ECU) is connected to a shift position sensor that measures a position of a shifting axle within the engine. If the shift position sensor provides measurement data indicating that the shifting assembly is rotationally positioned to engage a specific gear, the ECU allows the user actuated throttle input to control the throttle level of the engine. If the shift position sensor provides measurement data indicating that the shifting assembly is rotationally positioned in between positions that actuate specific gears (also known as a 'dead zone'), the ECU prevents the user actuated throttle input from controlling the throttle level of the engine.

Throttle input limiting system

Operator platform assemblies for use with the working vehicles, e.g., skid steer loaders, and vehicles incorporating the same. The platform assemblies may, in some embodiments, include an arm assembly that attaches to a rear portion of the vehicle and extends rearwardly therefrom as a cantilever member. The platform assembly may pivot from this deployed position to a storage position by pivoting upwardly about a pivot axis proximate the vehicle. A platform is, in some embodiments, pivotally attached to the arm assembly so that the platform may pivot relative to the arm assembly.

Platform assembly for use with working vehicle

Growing community of inventors

Bloomington, MN, United States of America

Greg L Lawrence